Register an ATV

What is considered an all-terrain vehicle (‘ATV’)?

An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) is any self-propelled vehicle, including an off-road motorcycle, that is manufactured for use on off-road trails or in off-road competitions. These vehicles are less than 70 inches wide and weigh less than 1,000 pounds.

For quicker service, make a reservation online before visiting offices in New York City, Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, Onondaga or Albany Counties. For all other counties, see our office locations and hours.

What are acceptable proofs of ownership?

If you purchase the ATV from an out-of-state ATV dealer, acceptable proof of ownership can be

a manufacturer's certificate of origin or a manufacturer's statement of origin, and the bill of sale from the dealer

the registration or the title certificate signed by the previous owner that transfers the ownership to the dealer, and a bill of sale from the dealer that transfers the ownership to you

A bill of sale from an ATV dealer must include

the name and the address of the dealer and the registration number of the dealer

your name and your address

the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the ATV

the year, the make, the model, and the number of wheels of the ATV

an indication that the ATV is either used or new

an indication that the dealer collected the correct NY State sales tax

If the ATV is transferred by a private individual, acceptable proof of ownership is a New York State or out-of-state transferable registration or title certificate signed by the previous owner to transfer ownership to you

If the current owner did not register the ATV, a transferrable registration and bill of sale that transferred ownership to the current owner, and a bill of sale that transfers ownership to you.

Do I need insurance coverage for my ATV?

You don’t need insurance to register your ATV. However, you must have insurance unless you only drive your ATV on private property. You must show your proof of insurance to a judge, a police officer, or any person who makes a claim of injury or property damage.

Do I need a driver license to drive an ATV?

You do not need a driver license to drive an ATV, but restrictions apply to ATV drivers under the age of 16. Children 10 to 15 years of age can drive an ATV only

with adult supervision

without adult supervision on property where their parent or guardian is the owner or tenant

without adult supervision on property where ATV use is permitted and the child completed an ATV safety-training course approved by the DMV (carry your course certificate with you when you drive)

Children under the age of 10 may drive an ATV only

with adult supervision

without adult supervision on property where their parent or guardian is the owner or tenant

You can operate an ATV on public lands where signs indicate that ATV use is allowed. Only operate an ATV on private property if you have permission from the property owner.

1. If you purchased the ATV from an out-of-state ATV dealer, and the bill of sale indicates that the dealer collected the NY State sales tax, no additional sales tax is due.

If the out-of-state dealer collects out-of-state sales tax, you can apply for credit toward the payment of the NY State sales tax when you apply for registration in NY State.

2. A NY State Driver License, Learner Permit, or Non-Driver ID card that is current or not expired for more than 2 years can serve as proof of identity. If you don’t have one of these documents, you must provide other kinds of proof.